Fuse for projectiles



July 28, 1925. 1,547,597

' w. L. LuKENs `ET AL n FUSE FOR PROJECTILES Filed sept. 2o. 1922 2 sheets-sheet 1 "l A y,

July`28, 1925.

. 1,547,597 w. L. LUKENS ET AL FUSE Fon PRoJEcTILEs Filed sept. 20.1922 2 sheets-sheet 2 2 9 z '.z J -5- @W/ff Patented Ju1y'2s,j192s. l

UNITED STATESA PATENT OFFICE,

WILLIAir L. LuxaNs AND .ioHN A. rAYLoa, or BETHL'EHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, As-

SIGNOBS T0 BETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANY, 0F BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, A`

CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

Fuss ron rnomcrnns.

Application filed September 20, 1922. Serial No. 589,434.

To all whom it mayconcem: Y

Be it lmown that we, WILLIAM L. LUKENS and JOHN' TAYLOR, citizens of the United States, and residents of Bethlehem, Northampton County, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fuses for Projectiles, of which the following'is a specification.

This invention relates to artillery ammunition and particularly to proectiles havin point detonating fuses of t e. adjustab e type.

The object of the invention is to provide a rojectile which has a fuse of the adjustable type enclosed therein but adapted to be adjusted from without, through an aperture in the projectile wall, to give different speeds of action. The fuse utilized in com- A bmation with the projectile is of novel construction and is adapted to be adjusted to e'ect the detonation of the projectile bursting charge either before the projectile body strikes the target, at the instant the rojece protile body strikes the target, or after t pro'ectile within which the fuse is enclose is provided with an axial aperture in its point and through this aperture extends the means by which the speed of action of the fuse may be adjusted. The fuse is provided `wit safety devices to prevent premature e'xplosion and the parts are so arranged that the projectile is properly balanced, has a satisactory outline for keeping the wind resistance at a minimum, construction.

vOne embodiment of the invention will be disclosed by way of exam le in the following description when ta en ywith the aocompan ing drawings, but it will be understood that the principles involved may be carried out in various ways.

In the drawings: l Figure 1 is an axial longitudinal section through the forward portion of an explosive prpjectile having the novel fuse and fuse adjusting means incorporated there1n,the fuse be' adjusted for delayed action and the parts "in shown in the positions which they occupy fore the projectile is` fired from the gun; l

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the itions ofthe parts after the projectile E: struck a. target and is simple in diameter, the front section havin vbody of the fuse are abutting Figure 3ds a view similar toFigure 2 but showing the positions of the parts of the fuse after strikin has been adjustedv previously' to firing, to Give immediate detonation instead of a delayed detonation; 1

Figure 4 lis a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the fuse parts in the positions which theyoccup fuse has been adjusted to act before the body of the projectile reaches the target;

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-L5 of Figure 2; and

Figure G is a section' illustrating the delay element.

The hollow at 10 and its ogival nose is shown at 11, the adjacent ends of these portions having threaded engagement with the internally and externally threaded adapter 12. The adapter 12 supports the fuse F, the cylindrical rear portion of the head 13 of the fuse having threaded engagement with the inner Wall of the adapter. The body portion 14 of the fuse is of less diameter than the head and extendsv into and has threaded engagement with the axial recess in the rear portionof the head.

The ogival point 11 of the projectile 1s provided with a circular axial aperture in its point and a plug 15 extends into this aperture, this plug being provided with retaining springs 16 which engage in recesses 17 so that the plug is held frictionall `in position, but-may be removed manually fiom the aperture in which itvnormally rests.

The body portion 'of the fuse is formed substantially in .the manner described and claimed in Patent No. 1,250,919 issued to J .v P.- Madden and W. L. Lukens, December 1s, 1917.

The head of the lindrical, though tapering externally at its extreme forward end so as to clea'r the inner wall of the point 11; The axial .openin in the head is also substantially cylindric although having three sections of different the smallest diameter. As before stated, t e forward end of the fuse body 14 hasthreaded engagement with the wall of the axial recess in the head o f .the fuse. Positioned between the oppositely facing shoulders of disks 191ml projectile body is indicated the head and`r a target whereV the fuse upon impact, where the lfuse is substantially cyeach of which is centrallyY apertured to provide a continuous Hame passage. Disk 19 has threaded engagement with the body 14 of the fuse and serves to retain within the. body the centrifugal cage 21 and the lunger 22, these 'members being positioned 1n communicating coaxial chambers inthe fuse body, as ointed out in the prior patent referred to. isk 20 serves to retain within the recess in the head of the fuse, the movable parts therein contained, when the head is disassociated from the base or body.

A firing pin carrier is indicated at 23 having being slidabl retained within the axial recess in the use head. Also slidably contained within the recess in the head of the fuse is the primer carrying block or cylinder 25. Normally these members are prevented from approaching each other by .means of the centrifugal locking bolts 26 which are urged inwardly by springs 27. A cree s ring 28 is also interposed between the sli ab e firing pin carrier and the primer carrier and members toward each other. The primer is indicated at 29, ak Hash port .bolt at 30, and Hash powder at 31 and 32. It will be seen that as the parts are illustrated in Figure 1.

position that the port or conduit 40 in thisv olt provides a dlrect passage between the Hash powder 31 and 32 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Normally, however, the Hash port bolt is locked against movement by Ia cotter pin 41 which extends through apertures in the primer carrier and Hash "port bolt and is connected by means of a cord 42 to thev plug 15. When the cotter pin 41 has been withdrawn, which may be accomplished by pulling out the plug, the Hash port bolt will move into the position in which it is shown in Figure 3 so that ignition of the primer will result in immediate ignition of the Hash powder 31 and 32 and hence of the detonatin charge of the fuse. Then it is desired to bring about the explosion of the projectile before the nose has struck the target the plug 15 and cotter pin 41 are completely withdrawn and the anticiator pin 43 inserted through the aperture 1n the point. This anticipator has a' recess in its end adapted toreceive a boss 44 projecting axially forward from the firing carrier. A retaining spring 45 on the boss ensecured thereto the firing pin 24, and

opposes movement of thesev gages within apertures in the pin to hold the same functionally in position. If the projectile armed with the anticipator has normal impact with the tar et the tiring pin carrier is thrust rearward y, as shown in Figure 4 and the projectile exploded before the nose proper has struck the target. If the projectile strikesv the target a glancn blow, so that the anticipator is not pushe rearwardly, the fuse functions by the forward movement of the primer carrier, as before.

When the projectile is first fired from a gun, and-during the period when it is being accelerated, the firingpin carrier will, due to its inertia, exert a force on each of the centrifugal inertiabolts sufficient to prevent them from moving radially outward and arming the fuse. After acceleration ceases the force thus exerted by the firing pin carrier becomes zero and the bolts will be thrown outwardly. In the meanwhile however the rojectile has passed out ofthe gun and the dhnger of a prematureexplosion in the gun barrel avoided.

The possibilities of the invention and its advantages in use, will be apparent to one skilled in the art. The design andarrangement of the parts of the fuse may be changed without departing from the spiritof the in: vention.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: Y

1. The combination with a hollow projectile body having an aperture in the wall portion thereof of a fuse completely enclosed within said projectile body rearwardly of the point ofA the latter, said fuse including means whereby it may be adjusted to different speeds of action upon inipact of the projectile, and means removably secured in said opening and operatively connected to the said means for controlling thelatter.

2. The combination with a hollow projectile body having an aperture in the wall thereof of a fuse com letely enclosed within said projectile bo y rearwardly of the point of the latter, said fuse including means whereby it may be adjusted for different speeds ofv action upon impact of the projectile, a cord connected to said means, and a plug removably secured in said opening and connected to the cord and serving when removed to effect operation of said means.

3. The combination with a hollow projectile body having an aperture' in the lwall thereof of a fuse completely enclosed within said projectile body and disposed rearwardly of the point of the latter, said fuse including means whereby it may-be adjusted for different speeds of action upon impact of the projectile, avmember engaging said means and holding the same in one po- "age the fuse sition of ad'ustment, a plug removably secured in sai opening, and connecting means between the plug and said holding means, whereby, when the lug is removed, the holding means is ren ered ineffective.

4. The combination with. a hollow projectile body having an aperture in the wall thereof ofa fuse completely enclosed within said projectile body, said fuse including means whereby it may be adjusted for different speeds of action upon impact of the projectile, a pin engaging said means and olding the same in one position of adjustlnent, means for biasing said means to its other position of adjustment, and a plugsecured'in said opening and connected to said pin, whereb removal of said plug effects movement o said pin and adjustment of the fuse.

5. The combination with a hollow pointed projectile body having an axial aperture in the point, of a fuse completely enclosed within said projectile body, said fuse including means whereby it may be adjusted for different s eeds of action upon impact of the rojecti e, a pin engaging said means and liolding the same in one position of adjustment, spring means for moving said first` means to a second position of adjustment, a plug removably secured in said opening, and a flexible cord connecting the plug and pin whereby removal of the movement of said the fuse. f Y

6. The combination with a hollow projectile bod having an aperture in the point thereof, ofy a fuse completel enclosed within the projectile wall, sai Y fuse including means whereby it may be adjusted for different speeds of action, said fuse being relatively remote from the pointed end of the projectile, and an anticipator insertable through said aperture and arranged to enwhen inserted, whereby the use is caused to'function before the nose of the projectile strikes the target.

7. The combination with a hollow projectile body having an aperture in the point thereof, of afuse completely' enclosed within the rojectile wall and adapted to be adjustedp for different speeds of action and having a movable firing pin carrier at its forward end, and an anticipator extending through the aperture in theV projectile wall and detachably secured to the firing pin carrier whereby the firing pin and the fuse may be caused to function before the projectile u wall strikes the target.

8. The combination with a hollow pro jectile body having an aperture in the point plug effectspin and adjustment otflash charge,

thereof, of a fuse completely enclosed within the projectile wall and adapted to be ad- 'usted for different speeds of action and aving a centrally arranged axially slidable firing in carrier at its forward end, and an antlcipator extending through the aperture and detachably secured to the firing pin carrier, said antici ator also `,extending in advance of the rojectile wall, whereby the tiring pin and use may be caused to function before the` target.l j

9. In a fuse, the combination of a head portion having a bore, a closure for the rear of the bore connected to the head portion and having a flash opening therein, a carrier movable in the bore, a forward flash charge carried by the carrier, a rearward flash charge carried by the carrier, a primer contiguous to the forward flash charge, a delay charge carried by the carrier` and communicatino' with the rearward flash charge, means movable transversely of the carrier to afford communication directly between the flash charges or between the forward flash charge and the delay charge, a firing pin disposed forwardly of the carrier and in line witi the primer, and means for` normally holding the carrier in the rear ortion of the bore and responsive to centri ugal force to permit the carrier to pass thereby.

10. In a fuse, the combination of a head portion having a longitudinal bore, a primer carrier having a transverse passage, flash charges disposed forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse assag'e, a primer arranged contiguous to anti) forwardly of theforward a delay charge disposed .laterally of the assage and adapted to communicate with t e rearilash charge, a member movable in the transverse assage and having a passageway to afford, between the flash charges in one position of said member and a passageway for affording communication between the forward flash charge and the delay charge in another position of said member, means for biasing the member to the first position, removable key y means for holding said memberin 'the second position,means for normally holding the carrier at the rear of the bore and responsive vto centrifugal force to allow the carrier to move thereby, and a firing pin disposed at the forward end of the bore and in line with the primer.

In testimony whereof we hereunto aix ,our signatures.

lVILLIAM. L. LUKENS. JOHN A. TAYLOR.

projectile wall strikes the.

communication 

